Remember those who served and celebrate the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo by Flickr user Franken Teacher)

For many, Memorial Day weekend evokes the start of the summer season — warm days, cool nights, and lots of outdoor fun. On the other hand, Memorial Day itself serves as a day of remembrance for those that have given their lives for our country.

Sacramento events taking place this weekend take on both those meanings, with ways to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, plus plenty of outdoor festivities and summer-y fun. See below for just a taste of what to expect this three-day weekend:

Festivals and Fun Times Abound:Sacramento County FairCal Expo; Thurs-Sun 10am-10pm, Mon 10am-7pm
Honor Sacramento’s agricultural heritage and eat carnival-style food for four straight days! Added bonus: Kids age 12 and under are free.

Sacramento Music FestivalOld & Downtown Sacramento; Fri & Sun 11am, Sat & Mon 10am
Old Sacramento will be the place to be this weekend! You could be dancing in the streets with over 80 world-class soulful and rockin’ blues, country, jazz and rock acts — including Collective Soul, Mat Kearney and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.

International Kids FestivalWilliam Land Park; Sat 10am-4pmAlong with pony rides, magic shows and jump houses, youth groups of different ethnic backgrounds will proudly perform song and dance numbers representing their cultures.

Pinata FestivalSol Collective; Sat 11am-5pmPiñatas will line the streets along with vendors featuring local and international food, arts and crafts. Join pinata-hitting contests, pinata-making demonstrations, food, live music y mas.

FamilyPaloozaCrocker Art Museum; Sun 11am-3pmA family that plays together stays together! Come celebrate the arts, creativity, and good old-fashioned fun at the Crocker’s second annual FamilyPalooza.

Remembering the Fallen:Reading of the Names CeremonyCalifornia State Capitol Park; Ceremony Noon (Reading of the Names begins 7am)Join the Vietnam Veterans of America Charter 500 and assembly members as they remember California veterans. A special reading of the 5,823 names found on the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial will begin at 7am.

What to do on your Monday Off:Vettes for Vets American Muscle Car ShowCalifornia Automobile Museum; Mon 10am-3pmThis is an annual car show arranged by the museum serves as memorial to military veterans and beautiful American made cars. Visitors can also take advantage of free admission to the California Automobile Museum.

Memorial Day River CruiseL Street Docks; Mon 1:30pm, 3pm & 4:30pmKick of the summer with your family! This one hour river cruise is the perfect way to cool down while learning about the history of Sacramento and the nature on the water ways.